Toolkit Podcasts

Toolkit Podcast Archive

Small business expert Gene Mark explains why it's difficult for small businesses to rise to the top of internet searches and how Google is working to fix that. Marks also talks about the importance of customer reviews and why hiring outside help might be needed to improve your search engine optimization.

Jennifer Krottinger, a business opportunity specialist at the Small Business Administration, offers valuable insights into how to position your small business to win government contracts. Krottinger walks us through the certification process to become eligible for government contracts, explains recent rule changes for certification, and reveals how much contracting work is set aside for small businesses. Finally, Krottinger offers helpful tips to stand out when bidding for federal contracts.

There's been a lot of focus in Washington on rolling back regulations. But which regulations have been changed or scrapped? What impact are those decisions having on businesses? And which regulations still need to be addressed? Small Business and Entrepreneurship Council President Karen Kerrigan takes us through the most significant regulatory changes.

Learn the 5 phases of building a self-managed company. Pinnacle Global Network CEO Allison Maslan walks us through the five phases of scaling, taking us from the formation of a company to a business structure that delegates many responsibilities to your most trusted subordinates.

Business identity theft is a common occurrence, but most small businesses lack proper understanding and resources to prevent it from happening. We discuss how to keep your business safe and what to do in the event of a data breach.

Adam Levin of CyberScout discusses cybersecurity, why it requires constant focus from business owners regardless of the company size as it doesn't make you any less of a target from hackers and thieves.

"Take Your Human to Work" author Erica Keswin discusses the results of her "Spaghetti Project," proving that strong relationships at work lead to better performance. Noting that millennial and Gen Z employees expect relationships to be a priority in the workplace, Keswin details how to turn your company in that direction.

Dean Foster, founder of DFA Intercultural Global Solutions and author of "Bargaining Across Borders," explains how knowing traditions and customs in other parts of the world can be the beginning of successful working relationships and how not knowing those things can ruin your efforts before you even begin How can an introduction or an exchange of business cards be a plus or minus for you and how will people in other countries expect you to negotiate?

Join us as we discuss the importance of transitioning your company from the antiquated “outbound” culture to an inbound one. Dan Tyre formerly of Hubspot and author of "Inbound Organization," provides key insights into what an inbound organization looks like, as well as how to get started.

Join us as we discuss the challenges and steps to success for small, local business owners with Square Sales Specialist Erin Archuleta. Square recently published a survey revealing their findings on what motivates small business owners, as well as the daily challenges they face. She discusses problems with cash flow, why business owners do what they do, as well as four simple steps to ensure success for your small business.

Beena Soiefer, nonprofit services and finance manager at Vcorp, joins us to discuss why filing for nonprofit status could be very beneficial for your business and how to apply for that designation. Soiefer also walks us through the tax implications of such a change and what the compliance requirements look like. Join us for a concise tutorial on the nonprofit world.

Meet Jeannette McClennan, entrepreneur, founder of the McClennan Group, and author of Innovators Anonymous: Seven Steps to Get Your Product off the Ground. In this interview, she describes how to bring together a unique streamlined process to produce and bring new digital products to market.